January 2020 Four County Catholic Overcoming a Weary World “They that hope in the LORD will renew their strength, they will soar on eagles’ wings; They will run and not grow weary, walk and not grow faint.” Isaiah 40:31 My dear sisters and brothers in Christ, “A Thrill of Hope, the Weary World Rejoices.” These words, which graced last month’s cover of the Four County Catholic, speak to a  hope that flows from within us centered on principles of faith larger than ourselves. Based on what we see on TV, hear on the r...

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Bishop, Communication

Save The Date: April 15 The National March for Life organization, in cooperation with the Connecticut Catholic Public Affairs Conference and the Family Institute of Connecticut, are holding Connecticut’s first official March for Life event on April 15, 2020 at the State Capitol.   The March will be a time for Connecticut citizens to express their support for the life of the unborn and their opposition to euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide.  Although the issues which the March will address are controversial in our society, people of faith mu...

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Pro-Life, Norwich, Catholic

Sister Margaret Miriam Higgins of the Sisters of Mercy died peacefully at the age of 94 on January 11, 2020 at St. Mary Home in West Hartford. Born and raised in New London she was the daughter of Arthur Higgins and Anna Green Higgins. Sister entered the Sisters of Mercy on July 1, 1944 and professed her first religious vows on January 3, 1947. Most of Sister's teaching experiences were in the Norwich Diocese. Her teaching career began in 1944 with Kindergarten students where she quickly learned to give "the look"and with that look she never had to raise...

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Obituary

Save the Date Come and celebrate 99 years of Providing Help & Creating Hope for our neighbors in need at our Hope Anchors the Soul Gala, on April 18, 2020. An evening of cocktails, dinner, dancing and a silent auction are part of the gala.    Through Catholic Charities, Diocese of Norwich, our community becomes stronger with your help!  For more information, call (860) 889-8346 ext. 285.    

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Norwich, Catholic

Have you ever gone to Adoration?  As Catholics we believe that Christ is truly present in the Blessed Sacrament and His presence endures after Mass is concluded.  Eucharistic Adoration is an opportunity to sit with Jesus, face-to-face. It is a time of prayer and reflection. Of course we believe that God is everywhere, However, in the Eucharist His presence is most powerful. For those of you who have never been or haven't been in a while then the Video above and the prayer below may help convince you that the time is right to attend.- We have included ...

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Catholic, Adoration

Sister Barbara Gould, R.S.M. gets a big surprise during the annual Teachers' Institute held on November 12 at the Holiday Inn in Norwich. Dr. Patrick Slattery, Executive Director of the Xaverian sponsored schools was the keynote speaker for the Institute. Sister Barbara was his elementary school principal of Our Lady of Mercy School in Madison, CT during the 1980s. During Dr. Slattery's presentation, Sister Barbara was shown a surprise slide of the dedication to her from his class yearbook. She was also honored with a lovely gift and a cake whic...

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Norwich, Catholic

The recipients help provide vital services and initiatives to help lift the lives of low income individuals and families in our communities. The Catholic Campaign for Human Development is the domestic anti-poverty program of the U.S. Catholic Bishops, working to carry out the mission of Jesus Christ, supported generously by parishioners across the Diocese of Norwich.       Pictured from left to right- Bishop Michael R. Cote, D.D. with this year's Catholic Campaign for Human Development grant recipients. Edward Stolz-Birthright of Greater Norwi...

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Bishop, Norwich, Catholic

The Rev. Patrick G. McCorry passed away on Sunday, December 15, 2019 in Cromwell, Connecticut. He was 78. Father McCorry graduated from American International College in Springfield, Massachusetts with a bachelors degree in Liberal Arts and was employed as a municipal bond analyst for Standard and Poors for 29 years. He later received his Master of Divinity from Holy Apostles Seminary in Cromwell, Connecticut and was ordained as a priest in 2001 in the Diocese of Norwich. He served in St. Sebastian's in Middletown and in St. Joseph's in Willimantic before re...

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Norwich, Priest, Catholic

Being open to an encounter with God should be the most important thing in each person’s life was the message nearly 200 youth at this year’s Youth Explosion heard from Cooper Ray, a national speaker and musician. “God should be with you in all parts of your lives, not just when you go to bed and pray, and not just when you have a crisis or a sudden need,” said Mr. Ray, who dynamically blended music and personal testimony to inspire youth to make God a priority in their lives. “Cooper encouraged young people to not sit on the sidelines, bu...

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Norwich, Catholic, youth

My Dear Friends, Advent is upon us. It is a time of great anticipation of the coming of our Savior, Jesus. We hear a lot from the prophet Isaiah in our readings during this season. Isaiah is the most quoted prophet in the New Testament and his book is second only to Psalms in the number of quotations from scripture in the New Testament. He was troubled by the moral breakdown of his time. His message is as relevant today as it was many centuries ago. He tried to remind the people of the need to keep God’s covenant if Israel was to remain God’s chosen peo...

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Norwich, Catholic, schools